Feeling Deflated? Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One

Feeling deflated? Our tire certainly did on our road trip as it completely came apart on the Northern Highway, half way between Orange Walk and Belize City. Yes, missionaries change tires too, and we were soon back on the road again. In fact, in life it's expected that there will be bumps and "flats" along the way, each one giving us needed experience.

This was our scene as we drove away from Belize City after our flat tire incident.  You better believe we were counting our blessings all the way home to Succotz.  

Our flat tire blessings......

1. It happened on flat terrain
2. It didn’t happen on a curve
3. It happened during daylight
4. There was a cloud cover overhead, so it wasn’t blazing hot 
5. There was a cloud cover overhead, but it didn't rain 
6. There were weren't many passing cars as we worked on the highway's small shoulder
7. Our car was equipped with caution reflectors that we set out
8. We found the owners manual--in Spanish--that told us where to find the hidden jack, and how to position it
9. My companion can read Spanish
10. President Gomez (from Orange Walk Branch) just happened by as we were finishing up, recognized us on the side of the road, and stopped to offer his assistance
11. Caribbean Tire was 40 minutes away in Belize City
12. We were in and out of Caribbean Tire within an hour with a replacement tire and a grateful heart

On Tuesday, we welcomed Elder and Sister Jensen from Canada.  They'll be serving in the town of Dangriga, south of Belize City on the Caribbean coast.

Elders and Sisters VandeMerwe, Flake, Jensen, and Magnusson

Light the World is a world-wide Church initiative to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by giving service to others. The missionaries in Belmopan have just set up their Light the World poster where they are calendaring appointments to share this message with the community.

On Wednesday, we drove to Corozal to do some mission business.  It's always a joy to visit with the sisters who serve in Corozal Town, Sisters Quiroz and Steinhorst...

....and have our picture taken at our favorite Corozal seashore spot.

We counted our blessings this week as we pondered our safety with our tire mishap and on our long cross-country drive. This rendition of Count Your Blessings was sung at the October 4, 2014 Church's General Conference. It is well worth the time to watch the video and notice the sign language interpreter's signs and facial expressions that illustrate the true message of this hymn.   

You can also see the above video by clicking here

Count Your Blessings

Text: Johnson Oatman Jr.

Music: Edwin O. Excell

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

CHORUS

Count your blessings;
 Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;
 See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;
 Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;
 See what God hath done.

2.  Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? 

Count your many blessings;  ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

CHOURS

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

CHORUS

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

The Tabernacle Choir's web page wrote a blog post about the history of the hymn that was written  in 1897.  You can read the article by clicking here.